U.S. President Donald Trump’s whirlwind tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates this week saw flashy handshakes and eye-popping financial pledges – but experts are asking: Are these deals real, or just a distraction from domestic struggles ahead of the 2024 election? 🕶️
💰 The Numbers Sound Like a Movie Plot
Trump touted agreements totaling over $3.2 trillion during the four-day trip, including Saudi Arabia’s $600B U.S. investment promise and a $1.2T Qatar-U.S. economic exchange. But analysts say the math doesn’t add up. "These are long-term visions, not short-term realities," said Zou Zhiqiang of Fudan University. "Many may never happen."
📉 Skepticism isn’t new: A 2017 Trump-era Saudi arms deal worth $350B? Only $92B actually materialized, per U.S. trade data. Critics argue these announcements are more about headlines than concrete plans.
🇺🇸 Domestic Drama Takes Center Stage
With Trump’s approval ratings hitting historic lows and inflation angering voters, the Gulf deals appear to be a "distraction play," says Middle East Institute analyst Brian Katulis. Polls show 68% of Americans disapprove of his economic policies – making foreign splashy deals an easy PR win.
🚨 Israel’s Absence Sparks Questions
Trump notably skipped Israel amid ongoing Gaza tensions, signaling a shift in U.S. Middle East strategy. "The U.S. is stepping back from conflict resolution," said King’s College London’s Andreas Krieg. Meanwhile, Trump’s surprise move to ease some Syria sanctions further strained ties with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu.
💬 Ex-Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas told CNN: "Trump doesn’t hate Israel – he just doesn’t care. Netanyahu has nothing he wants now."
As 2024 election buzz grows, one thing’s clear: Whether these deals materialize or not, Trump’s betting they’ll look good on camera. 🎥
